Thank you so much. Thought as much with waterbased finish but really don't want to use oil based if could possibly avoid it. Thanks once again.

You can do a waterborne stain to go with the finish oil will be the only clear to have an amber tone

Thanks! We may go that route but have come across a product that may do the trick according to their website anyway. It is a product by Timber Pro Coatings called Crystal Urethane. They are going to send us some samples to try before we buy.

We've used that product it works great but yo
u don't really get the richness of an
oil finish . Look at Sikkens cetol log decor it's a water borne finish with color in it comes in 5 colors

Looked at the Log Décor. Too bad but its seems to actually add colour coverage as opposed to bringing out the grains and knots. Looks like it may have to be an oil as you said or the very least one of the hybrid stains out there. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.